Low weight container closure

ABSTRACT

A container closure comprising a top wall portion and a skirt portion depending from the top wall portion is provided. The skirt portion can include corrugation on an interior and exterior thereof, and the corrugation can reduce the weight of the container closure and provide strength of the skirt portion.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a low weight container closure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container closure having corrugations or grooves that make up the interior and exterior of a skirt of the container closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Container closures are common in consumer markets. Typically, closures can be injection molded from a plastic material or the like. Such closures can be used for sealing containers, e.g., bottles of juice, milk, soda pop, and the like. One known closure includes a circular top wall portion and an annular skirt depending from the top wall portion. The closure may include tamper indicating means, such as a tamper-indicating band that depends and is separable from the annular skirt.

Generally, closures are formed as snap-type closures or threaded closures. Snap-type closures can secure to a container by one or more inwardly projecting elements that snap over complementary, outwardly projecting elements on the container finish. Threaded closures on the other hand can have a thread formed on an inner surface of the depending skirt that engages a complementary thread formed on the container finish. Threaded closures are more commonly used for containers for liquid or granular storage.

In a typical closure, the skirt can depend from a peripheral edge of the top wall portion. Thus, the closure cap can define an inverted cup-like figure that essentially matches the profile of a container neck and finish. Containers can have various sizes of openings and thus, various sizes of closure caps. The container opening size may be dependent upon, in part, the substance stored in the container. For example, some types of foods or powders may be best packaged in a container that has a relatively small dispensing opening that provides for directed pouring, while some liquids, such as milk, juice, and the like, that may be consumed directly from the container may be best packaged in containers having a somewhat larger dispensing opening.

Generally, the size of the dispensing opening determines or dictates the physical size of the closure. Moreover, the cost of producing the closure is often directly related to the size thereof because material is generally the largest cost component of the closure. Nevertheless, closures are made in a wide array of sizes, from the smallest closures that may be used on bottles of hot pepper sauce, for example, to the larger closures that may be used for condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise and the like, for example. However, there are drawbacks to such closures.

As explained above, the cost of producing a closure is often directly related to the size of the closure because material is generally the largest cost component of the closure. Accordingly, when a closure is manufactured, the cost of manufacturing and producing the closure can be significant. If less material could be used to make a closure of a particular size, then the cost of producing such a closure could be reduced.

However, closures must be strong enough to endure the repeated handling, application, and removal of a particular closure. One of the problems associated with reducing the amount of material used to produce a particular closure is that often the strength of the closure is reduced as a result.

There is thus a continuing, ongoing need for a container closure that is light weight and is made from a minimum amount of material, but is simultaneously strong. Preferably, such a container closure is strong enough to withstand the repeated handling, application, and removal of the closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention a closure for use with an associated container is provided. The closure can include a top wall portion and a skirt portion that depends from the top wall portion. The skirt portion can include corrugation on the interior and exterior thereof such that the corrugation can reduce the weight of the container closure and provide strength to the skirt portion.

Furthermore, a closure including a top wall portion and corrugation depending from the top wall portion is provided. The corrugation depending from the top wall portion can include interior grooves that correspond to exterior protrusions and interior protrusions that correspond to exterior grooves. The interior and exterior grooves and protrusions can be circumferentially spaced about the interior and exterior of the corrugation, respectively.

Accordingly, it is a benefit of the present invention to provide a closure that uses less material than has been traditionally required to manufacture and produce a closure of a particular size.

It is a further benefit of the present invention to provide a closure that maintains its necessary strength while reducing the amount of material required to manufacture and produce the closure.

It is another benefit of the present invention to short weight a closure to reduce the amount of material required to produce a particular closure.

It is yet another benefit of the present invention to provide a closure with both interior and exterior corrugation or grooves that make up at least a portion of a skirt of the closure.

It is still a further benefit of the present invention to provide a closure with a skirt that is corrugated on both the inside and the outside of the skirt.

Finally, it is a benefit of the present invention to use corrugation or grooves to provide strength to a closure.

In accordance with the present invention, all of these benefits as well as others not herein specifically identified, are generally achieved by the present low weight container closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples of objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of an interior of a closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an interior of a closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a skirt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is top perspective view of a closure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of either the exterior or interior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of either the exterior or interior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a partial side view of the exterior of a skirt portion in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A-10G are bottom views of exemplary skirt portions in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention include a low weight container closure. The closure can be short weighted so as to minimize the weight and amount of material used to produce such a closure. Furthermore, the closure can retain its strength required for repeated handling, application, and removal of the closure. In embodiments of the present invention, the closure can include corrugation, grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags that make up both the interior and exterior of the closure's skirt.

In embodiments of the claimed invention, the closure, including a top wall portion and a skirt portion, can be annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular, polygonal, oval, irregularly shaped or any other shape as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art. The top wall portion and the skirt portion can be of any size and shape as would be necessary to fit a corresponding container.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a bottom perspective view of an exemplary closure 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The closure 10 can include a top wall portion 12, a skirt portion 14 depending from the top wall portion 12, and a band 16. In embodiments of the present invention, the top wall portion 12 can be circular and the skirt portion 14 and band 16 can be annular, for example, as seen in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1-5 as shown and described herein are of a closure with an annular skirt portion. However, it is to be understood that the closure, top portion, and skirt could be of any size and shape as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art and can have a variety of dimensions. For example, the skirt portion could be annular or circular as seen in FIG. 10A, rectangular as seen in FIG. 10B, squared as seen in FIG. 10C, triangular as seen in FIG. 10D, polygonal as seen in FIG. 10E, oval as seen in FIG. 10F, or irregularly shaped as seen in FIG. 10G. The figures shown and described herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention.

For example, closures or industrial lids in accordance with the present invention can range from an 18 mm diameter to a 10 foot diameter, for example. Further, as explained above, closures, top portions, and skirts in accordance with the present invention could be annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular, polygonal, oval, irregularly shaped, or be any shape as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The skirt portion 14 can depend from the top wall portion 12 and extend in a downward direction away from the peripheral edge of the top wall portion 12. As will be explained in further detail herein, the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated on the interior and exterior and/or include grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags. A band 16 can extend around a lower edge of the skirt portion 14.

In embodiments of the present invention, the top wall portion 12 can be one contiguous piece of material with the skirt portion 14. The top wall portion 12 can be molded as one continuous piece with the skirt portion 14. Alternatively, the top wall portion 12 can be molded separate and apart from the skirt portion 14 and then subsequently molded, fused, affixed, or attached together. Similarly, the band 16 can be one contiguous piece of material with the skirt portion 14 such that the circular band 16 is molded as one continuous piece with the skirt portion 14. Alternatively, the circular band 16 can be molded separate and apart from the skirt portion 14 and then subsequently molded, fused, affixed, or attached together.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the interior of a closure in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the same. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the interior of the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated and/or contain grooves, protrusions, ridges and/or zig-zags. For example, exemplary grooves 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c can be molded as part of the skirt portion 14. Further, corresponding protrusions 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c can be molded as part of the skirt portion 14 between the grooves 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c. Similar exemplary grooves 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c and exemplary protrusions 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c can be situated throughout the entirety of the inner circumference of the skirt portion 14 such that the whole interior of the skirt portion 14 is formed of alternating grooves and protrusions. Thus, the interior of the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated.

By corrugating the interior of the skirt portion 14, the closure 10 can be short weighted; that is, the closure 10 can be lighter and less material can be used to manufacture and produce the closure 10. When less material is used, the cost to produce the closure 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, the corrugated interior of the skirt portion 14 can provide strength to the closure 10. The protrusions 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c, for example, can act as ribs or trusses that support the closure.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a bottom view of an skirt portion 14 in accordance with the present invention is shown. As described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, a bottom view of the corrugated interior of the skirt portion 14 can be seen in FIG. 4. Exemplary grooves 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c and exemplary protrusions 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c are shown on the interior of the skirt portion 14.

Each groove 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c of the interior of the skirt portion 14 can correspond with a protrusion 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c of the exterior of the skirt portion 14. Furthermore, each protrusion 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c of the interior can correspond with a groove 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c of the exterior. Accordingly, the exterior of the skirt portion 14 can be corrugated.

By corrugating the exterior of the skirt portion 14, the closure 10 can be short weighted; that is, the closure 10 can be lighter and less material can be used to produce the closure 10. When less material is used, the cost to produce the closure 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, the corrugated exterior of the skirt portion 14 can provide strength to the closure 10. The protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c, for example, can act as ribs or trusses that support the closure.

As seen in FIG. 4, the grooves 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c and protrusions 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c of the interior of the skirt portion 14 and the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c of the exterior of the skirt portion can be integral to and with the skirt portion 14. That is, the entirety of the skirt portion 14 can be formed from the corresponding grooves 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c and protrusions 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c of the interior of the skirt portion 14 and the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c of the exterior skirt portion 14.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the grooves and protrusions of the interior of the skirt portion can be integral to and form only a portion of the skirt portion. For example, the corrugation in the interior of the skirt portion can extend from the top wall portion to a point halfway, two thirds, or three fourths of the way, for example, down the skirt portion. Alternatively, the corrugation in the interior of the skirt portion can extend from the bottom of the skirt portion up to a point below the top wall portion. Similarly or alternatively, the grooves and protrusions of the exterior of the skirt portion can be integral to and form only a portion of the skirt portion. In embodiments, the grooves and protrusions on either the interior or exterior of the skirt portion can be a substantial portion of the skirt portion.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, partial side views of the exterior of an skirt portion 14 are shown in which the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c form only a portion of the skirt portion. As seen in FIG. 8A, a top portion of the skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 8B, a bottom portion of the skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c.

In embodiments of the present invention, the corrugation of the skirt portion can be oriented in a generally horizontal manner, and the grooves and protrusions of the corrugation can form only a portion of the skirt portion. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, partial side views of the exterior of a skirt portion 14 are shown in which the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c form only a portion of the skirt portion and are oriented in a generally horizontal direction. As seen in FIG. 9A, a top portion of the skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 9B, a bottom portion of the skirt portion 14 can include the grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c.

It is to be understood that the number and sizes of grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on both the interior and exterior of the skirt portion are not limitations of the present invention. Rather, the number and sizes of grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags should be such that the amount of material required to manufacture and produce a closure in accordance with the present invention is less than would be required to manufacture and produce closures known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, the cost to manufacture and produce closures according to the present invention is reduced because less material is used due to the grooves and protrusions on the interior and exterior of the skirt portion—that is, the corrugated skirt portion.

Further, it is to be understood that the shape and placement of the grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on both the interior and exterior of the skirt portion are not limitations of the present invention. Rather, the shape and placement of the grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags of the skirt portion are such that they provide sufficient strength to the closure for repeated handling, application, and removal of the closure. For example, as seen in FIGS. 1-5, the grooves and protrusions of the skirt portion can be situated in a generally vertical orientation. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 6, the grooves and protrusions can be situated in a generally diagonal orientation or, as seen in FIG. 7, in a generally curved orientation. As another alternative, and as seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the grooves and protrusions can be situated in a generally horizontal orientation.

In preferred embodiments, the number, size, shape, placement, and orientation of grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on the interior and exterior of the skirt portion are such that they provide enough strength to the skirt portion that the closure can endure repeated handling, application, and removal. It is preferable but not required that the grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on both the interior and exterior of the skirt portion extend the entirety of both the interior and exterior circumference, respectively, of the skirt portion. In alternate embodiments, it is preferred but not required that the grooves, protrusions, ridges, and/or zig-zags on either or both of the interior and exterior of the skirt portion are only a portion of skirt portion.

In further preferred embodiments, it is preferable but not required that the number, size, and placement of the grooves on the interior, for example, correspond with the number, size, and placement of the protrusions on the exterior. Further, it is preferable but not required that the number, size, and placement of the protrusions on the interior, for example, correspond with the number, size, and placement of the grooves on the exterior.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a top perspective view of an exemplary closure in accordance with the present invention is shown. As seen in FIG. 5, the skirt portion 14 can extend from the peripheral edge of the top wall portion 12. Exemplary grooves 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c and protrusions 21 a, 21 b, 21 c can be molded as part of the skirt portion 14 and can extend around the entirety of the skirt portion 14. Alternatively, the grooves and protrusions can be only a portion of the skirt portion.

The manufacture of closures in accordance with the present invention can be made with a faster cycle time. That is, the closures can be manufactured more quickly than closures known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Faster cycle times can result in further productivity and more cost savings.

Closures in accordance with the present invention as described and claimed herein can be used in connection with a child resistant cap, for example, or with any other type of cap as would be known by those or ordinary skill in the art. Further, closures in accordance with the present invention can be made from plastic, for example, or any other material as would be known by those or skill in the art.

Closures in accordance with the present invention can be attached to a package or container in any number of ways as would be known by those or ordinary skill in the art. For example, the closure could be threaded, snapped on, glued, or welded to an associated package or container.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus or method illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. A container closure comprising: a top wall portion; and an skirt portion depending from the top wall portion, the skirt portion including corrugation on an interior and an exterior thereof, the corrugation reducing a weight of the container closure and the corrugation providing strength to the skirt portion.
 2. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation includes alternating grooves and protrusions circumferentially spaced about the interior and the exterior of the skirt portion.
 3. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein the grooves of the interior correspond with the protrusions of the exterior, and the protrusions of the interior correspond with the grooves of the exterior.
 4. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each groove extends from a top end of the skirt portion to a bottom end of the skirt portion.
 5. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each groove extends only a portion of the skirt portion.
 6. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each protrusion extends from a top end of the skirt portion to a bottom end of the skirt portion
 7. A container closure as in claim 2 wherein each protrusion extends only a portion of the skirt portion.
 8. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation is integral with the skirt portion.
 9. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation is continuously situated about the interior and the exterior of the skirt portion.
 10. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the corrugation is partially situated about the interior or the exterior of the skirt portion.
 11. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the interior and the exterior of the skirt portion is corrugated.
 12. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the skirt portion depends from a peripheral edge of the top wall portion.
 13. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein any portion of the skirt portion is short weighted.
 14. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein a diameter of the container closure is from about 18 mm to about 10 feet.
 15. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the container closure is formed from plastic.
 16. A container closure as in claim 1 wherein the skirt portion is one of annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular, polygonal, oval, or irregularly shaped.
 17. A container closure comprising: a top wall portion; and a corrugation depending from the top wall portion, the corrugation having interior grooves that correspond to exterior protrusions, the corrugation having interior protrusions that correspond to exterior grooves, the interior grooves and protrusions and the exterior grooves and protrusions being circumferentially spaced about an interior of the corrugation and an exterior of the corrugation, respectively.
 18. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the interior grooves and protrusions and the exterior grooves and protrusions extend from a top end of the corrugation to a bottom end of the corrugation.
 19. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the interior grooves and protrusions and the exterior grooves and protrusions extend from a peripheral edge of the top wall portion to a bottom end of the corrugation.
 20. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the interior grooves and protrusions or the exterior grooves and protrusions extend only a portion of the corrugation.
 21. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the corrugation short weights the container closure.
 22. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the corrugation provides relative strength to the container closure.
 23. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein a diameter of the container closure is from about 18 mm to about 10 feet.
 24. A container closure as in claim 17 where the container closure is formed from plastic.
 25. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the container closure is child resistant.
 26. A container closure as in claim 17 wherein the corrugation is one of annular, circular, rectangular, squared, triangular, polygonal, oval, or irregularly shaped. 